Rod lens array and life-size imaging optical apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

In a rod lens array in which a plurality of rod lenses each having a refractive-index distribution in the radial direction are arranged in one row such that the optical axes are parallel to each other, and in a life-size imaging optical apparatus using the rod lens array, the outside diameter of each rod lens is such that 0.05 mm≦R≦0.25 mm and 0.5R≦r 0  ≦1.0R (2R: the distance between the optical axes of adjacent rod lenses and r 0  : the radius of the effective area of each rod lens that provides a lens action) and the degree of overlap m defined by m=x 0  /2R is such that 1.61≦m≦1.80 or 2.06≦m≦2.50 where X 0  is the view radius of a single rod lens which is given by X 0  =-r 0  /cos(Z 0  π/P).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a life-size imaging rod lens array comprising a plurality of-small-diameter rod lenses arranged in one row. The invention also relates to a life-size imaging optical apparatus which has the surface of a document and a sensor provided on opposite sides of the rod lens array such that the image on the surface of a document is read and transmitted to the sensor. The technology of the invention is useful when applied to the optics of facsimile and other optical machines.

2. Related Art

Optical machines such as facsimile, copiers, printers and scanners employ various types of scanning apparatus in order to convert the information on the surface of a document to readable electrical signals. A common scanning apparatus is of a "contact" type that comprises illumination optics, a rod lens array as life-size imaging optics, a sensor, a cover glass (transparent substrate) and other parts mounted in a frame. The document is placed in contact with the surface of the cover glass and illuminated with light from the illumination optics. The illuminated image on the document passes through the rod lens array to be focused on the sensor, where it is converted to an electrical signal. The rod lens array is life-size imaging optics in which a plurality of rod lenses each having a refractive-index distribution in the radial direction are arranged, typically in one or two rows.

The lens material of which the rod lens array is made is either glass or plastics. Glass rod lenses with a refractive-index distribution are manufactured by ion-exchange or thermal interdiffusion or a like method. For example, the rod lenses in a commercial glass rod lens array have a minimum outside diameter of 0.6 mm.

A single rod lens forms a life-size image in a range defined by a circle with a radius of X₀ (i.e., the view radius) and the quantity of light which is maximal on the optical axis decrease with the increasing radial distance. Therefore, the distribution of the quantity of light along the length of the lens array experiences unevenness at a period which is equal to the distance between adjacent lenses. The magnitude of the unevenness is determined by the degree of overlap m which is defined by m=X₀ /2R, where 2R is the distance between the optical axes of adjacent rod lenses.

FIG. 1 shows how the unevenness in the quantity of light varies as a function of the degree of overlap m in a one-row rod lens array for a so-called "line scanning system" which utilizes light in an extremely narrow range near to the overall optical axis of the lens array. Obviously, the unevenness in the quantity of light tends to decrease with the increasing degree of overlap m; however, the decrease is not monotonic but minima occur at m=1.09, 1.59, 2.09, 2.59, 3.09, . . . The smaller the amount of unevenness in the quantity of light on the sensor, the better its performance; hence, if it is paramount to minimize the unevenness in the quantity of light, the lens array is designed to ensure that the degree of overlap m assumes the above-mentioned values.

The values of unevenness in the quantity of light that are shown in FIG. 1 are those which occur when the sensor is positioned accurately on the overall optical axis of the lens array. However, actual mass-produced scanning apparatus unavoidably suffer from a certain amount of transverse misalignment between the sensor and the overall axis of the lens array on account of dimensional errors in parts and assembling errors.

In the conventional lens array in which each rod lens has an outside diameter of 0.6 mm or more, the above-defined transverse misalignment is sufficiently smaller than the view radius X₀ that it can be ignored without any problem. However, the idea of reducing the rod lens diameter is recently under review in order to realize a compact scanning apparatus and if rod lenses with a diameter smaller than 0.5 mm are employed, the relative amount of transverse misalignment between the sensor and the overall axis of the lens array increases to potentially cause an unevenness in the quantity of light that exceeds the design value.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a life-size imaging rod lens array which can be operated to produce a minimal amount of unevenness in the quantity of light even if a transverse misalignment occurs between the sensor and the overall axis of the lens array on account of the dimensional errors in parts and assembling errors resulting from the use of smaller-diameter rod lenses and which therefore contributes not only to the reduction in the size of a life-size imaging optical apparatus but also to the ease in its manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a life-size imaging optical apparatus using said rod lens array.

The first aspect of the present invention is a life-size imaging rod lens array in which a plurality of rod lenses each having a refractive-index distribution in the radial direction are arranged in one row such that the optical axes are parallel to each other. The rod lens array is adapted to satisfy the following conditions:

(1) the outside diameter of each rod lens is such that

    0.05 mm≦R≦0.25 mm and 0.5R≦r.sub.0 ≦1.0R

where

2R: the distance between the optical axes of adjacent rod lenses;

r₀ : the radius of the effective area of each rod lens that provides a lens action;

(2) when the refractive-index distribution of each rod lens is approximated by n(r)² =n₀ ² ·{1-(g·r)² }, 0.05≦n₀ ·g·r₀ ≦0.50 and 1.40≦n₀ ≦1.75

where

r: the distance from the optical axis;

n(r): the refractive index at distance r from the optical axis;

n₀ :the refractive index at the optical axis;

g: the coefficient of the refractive-index distribution;

(3) the length of each rod lens Z₀ is such that

    0.5<Z.sub.0 /P<1.0

where

P: the periodic length of each rod lens as defined by P=2 π/g; and

(4) the degree of overlap m defined by m=X_(0/) 2R is such that 1.61≦m≦1.80 or 2.06≦m≦2.50

where

X₀ : the view radius of a single rod lens which is given by X₀ =-r₀ /cos (Z₀ π/P).

The second aspect of the present invention is a life-size imaging optical apparatus which uses a life-size imaging rod lens array in which a plurality of rod lenses each having a refractive-index distribution in the radial direction are arranged in one row such that the optical axes are parallel to each other, with the surface of a document and a sensor being positioned on opposite sides of said lens array, wherein said rod lens array is as recited in the preceding paragraph and the distance L between the surface of a document and an end face of each proximal rod lens and the distance L between the sensor and an end face of each proximal rod lens, each distance being calculated as that of an air layer, both satisfy the following condition:

    L=L.sub.0

where

L₀ : the lens working distance given by L₀ =-(1/n₀ g)·tan (Z₀ π/P).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of overlap m and the unevenness in the quantity of light;

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of transverse misalignment divided by R and the unevenness in the quantity of light;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of transverse misalignment divided by R and the unevenness in the quantity of light;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of overlap m and the maximal amount of transverse misalignment for three different cases where the unevenness in the quantity of light is not more 10%, 13% and 15%;

FIG. 5 is a graph for the data of an actual measurement which shows the relationship between the amount of transverse misalignment divided by R and the unevenness in the quantity of light;

FIG. 6 is a graph for the data of another actual measurement which shows the relationship between the amount of transverse misalignment divided by R and the unevenness in the quantity of light;

FIG. 7 is a graph for the data of yet another actual measurement which shows the relationship between the amount of transverse misalignment divided by R and brightness;

FIG. 8 is a graph for the data of still another actual measurement which shows the relationship between the amount of transverse misalignment divided by R and the unevenness in the quantity of light;

FIG. 9 is a graph for the data of yet another actual measurement which shows the relationship between the amount of transverse misalignment divided by R and the unevenness in the quantity of light; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing, partially in cross-section, of a gradient-index rod lens array with one row.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

If the rod lenses as the components of the lens array are in contact with one another and if their effective radius r₀ is equal to the lens radius, r₀ is equal to R. In practice, however, adjacent rod lenses are spaced apart by a certain distance for some reason associated with the process of assembling the lens array or the marginal area of each rod lens is sometimes rendered opaque in order to block the rays of light that will pass through that area where an undesirable index distribution will occur. Under these circumstances, the degree of overlap is defined in terms of R. The transverse misalignment between the sensor and the overall axis of the rod lens array is problematic if the rod lenses have a small diameter (R≦0.5 mm). In the present invention, R is specified to be at least 0.05 mm and smaller lens diameters are practically infeasible for various reasons such as one associated with manufacturing (e.g. extreme difficulty in handling). Another requirement is that r₀ be 0.5R or more but not greater than 1.0R. If r₀ is less than 0.5R, the brightness of the image will decrease to an undesirably low level.

The brightness of the rod lens array is expressed by the angle of aperture θ₀ =n₀ ·g·r₀ in radius and the greater the value of θ₀, the brighter the image that is produced. For use in a life-size imaging optical apparatus, the rod lens array desirably has a θ₀ of 0.05 or more. On the other hand, a rod lens having a θ₀ in excess of 0.50 is difficult to fabricate by reason of the limits on the contents of index distributing components (e.g. Tl₂ O and Li₂ O to be used in glass lenses). Under these circumstances, the angle of aperture θ₀ is specified to lie within the range 0.05≦n₀ ·g·r₀ ≦0.50.

The refractive index of each rod lens at the optical axis which is expressed by n₀ is preferably as large as possible since the angle of aperture θ₀ increases with n₀. For example, in the case of a glass lens, the high contents of monovalent cationic components permit n₀ to take actual values within the range 1.40≦n₀ ≦1.75.

In order to satisfy the condition for the formation of an erecting image, the length of each rod lens Z₀ must be such that 0.5<Z₀ /P<1.0, where P is the periodic length of each rod lens defined by P=2 π/g.

The unevenness is the quantity of light that occurs in the presence of transverse misalignment between the sensor and the overall axis of the lens array can be determined by using a mathematical expression for the distribution of the quantity of light within the view radius. As already mentioned, the view radius X₀ is given by:

    X.sub.0 =-r.sub.0 /cos (Z.sub.0 π/P)

and the distribution of brightness within the view radius is expressed by:

    E(X)=E.sub.0 ·{1-(X/X.sub.0).sup.2 }.sup.1/2

where

E₀ : the quantity of light on the optical axis;

X: the distance from the optical axis; and

E(X): the quantity of light at distance X from the optical axis.

Using this equation, the unevenness in the quantity of light Δi was plotted in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, against the amount of transverse misalignment divided by R for varying values of the degree of overlap m (=1.59, 1.70 and 2.00 in FIG. 2 and 2.09, 2.29 and 2.50 in FIG. 3).

As FIG. 2 shows, the unevenness in the quantity of light on the axis is minimal when m=1.59 but, once a transverse misalignment occurs, the unevenness in the quantity of light increases markedly. In the case of m=1.70, the on-axis unevenness in the quantity of light is comparatively great but, on the other hand, the unevenness in the quantity of light remains at low levels even if the transverse misalignment increases; it is therefore clear that the unevenness in the quantity of light is insensitive to the transverse misalignment if m=1.70.

The unevenness in the quantity of light that is tolerated by the scanning apparatus should generally be 15% or less, preferably 13% or less, more preferably 10% or less, at the design stage. A maximal amount of transverse misalignment is plotted in FIG. 4 against the degree of overlap m for three different cases where the unevenness in the quantity of light Δi is not more than 15%, 13% and 10%. In the state of the art, the transverse misalignment that occurs in the assembling process is on the order of 0.2 mm. To allow for this amount of transverse misalignment, a rod lens of R=0.2 mm must be designed to tolerate a transverse misalignment of at least 1.0R. If R is to be further reduced, it goes without saying that the precision in assembling has to be further improved while securing the tolerable range of the transverse misalignment. In addition, the decrease in the quantity of light that occurs from transverse misalignment is desirably kept no more than 10%. If the amount of transverse misalignment divided by R exceeds 1.0, the average quantity of light drops to about 90% and below; hence, the amount of transverse misalignment must be held below 1.0R.

If the degree of overlap m is greater than 2.5, the maximum amount of transverse misalignment will increase but, on the other hand, the brightness of the image will decrease unfavorably. A rod lens array in which the degree of overlap m is below 1.5 will produce a bright image but, on the other hand, it is not practical since it can tolerate an extremely small range of transverse misalignment. Therefore, one can conclude from FIG. 4 that the degree of overlap m should be within the range of 1.61≦m≦1.80 or 2.06≦m≦2.50, where the unevenness in the quantity of light is not more than 15% and the maximal amount of transverse misalignment is at least 1.0R or more. With the actual rod lens array, the unevenness in the quantity of light is often greater than the calculated value due to the variations in the performance and arrangement of individual lenses. Hence, a sufficient margin should be allowed as early as in the design stage and in view of FIG. 4, the degree of overlap m should be assigned to lie between 1.62 (inclusive) and 1.72 (inclusive) or between 2.07 (inclusive) and 2.48 (inclusive), where the unevenness in the quantity of light is not more than 13%; a preferred range is 2.09≦m≦2.29 where the unevenness in the quantity of light is not more than 10%.

Embodiment of the Invention

In the present invention also provides a life-size imaging optical apparatus which uses a life-size imaging rod lens array in which a plurality of rod lenses each having a refractive-index distribution in the radial direction are arranged in one row such that the optical axes are parallel to each other, with the surface of a document and a sensor being positioned on opposite sides of said lens array, said lens array satisfying the following conditions:

(1) the outside diameter of each rod lens is such that

    0.05 mm≦R≦0.25 mm and 0.5R≦r.sub.0 ≦1.0R

where

2R: the distance between the optical axes of adjacent rod lenses;

r₀ : the radius of the effective area of each rod lens that provides a lens action;

(2) when the refractive-index distribution of each rod lens is approximated by n(r)² =n₀ ² ·{1-(g·r)²)}, 0.05≦n₀ ·g·r₀ 0.50 and 1.40≦n₀ ≦1.75

where

r: the distance from the optical axis;

n(r): the refractive index at distance r from the optical axis;

n₀ : the refractive index at the optical axis;

g: the coefficient of the refractive-index distribution;

(3) the length of each rod lens Z₀ is such that

    0.5<Z.sub.0 /P<1.0

where

P: the periodic length of each rod lens as defined by P=2 π/g;

(4) the degree of apparent overlap m' defined by m'=X'/2R is such that

    1.61≦m'≦1.80 or 2.06≦m'≦2.50

where

X': the view radius of a single rod lens which is given by X'=L·n₀ ·g·r₀ /sin (Z₀ π/P); and

(5) the distance L between the surface of a document and an end face of each proximal rod lens and the distance L between the sensor and an end face of each proximal rod lens, each distance being calculated as that of an air layer, are each such that

    0.8L.sub.0 ≦L<L.sub.0 or L.sub.0 <L≦1.2L.sub.0

where

L₀ : the lens working distance given by L₀ =-(1/n₀ g)·tan (Z₀ π/P).

One of the characteristic features of the rod lens array is that even if the distance L between the surface of a document and an end face of each proximal rod lens and the distance L between the sensor and an end face of each proximal rod lens, each distance being calculated as that of an air layer, are offset slightly from the lens working distance L₀ (i.e., to form a slightly defocused image), its resolving power will not deteriorate very much. In general terms, if L is between 0.8L₀ (inclusive) and 1.2L₀ (inclusive), the MTF value will not drop significantly but the unevenness in the quantity of light can be adjusted by varying the apparent degree of overlap m' through the adjustment of L. Hence, the range where the unevenness in the quantity of light is not more than 15% and the maximal amount of transverse misalignment is not more than 1.0R can also be set in terms of the apparent degree of overlap m'=X'/2R which is referenced to the apparent view radius, X'=L·n₀ ·g·r₀ /sin (Z₀ π/P), for the case where the distance between the surface of a document and an end face of each proximal rod lens and the distance between the sensor and an end face of each proximal rod lens, each distance being calculated as that of an air layer, are denote by L. The thus set range is 1.61≦m'≦1.80 or 2.06≦m'≦2.50. Again, a preferred range is 1.62≦m'≦1.72 or 2.07≦m'≦2.48, where the unevenness in the quantity of light is not more than 13% and a more preferred range is 2.09≦m'≦2.29 where the unevenness in the quantity of light is not more than 10%.

The refractive index distribution of a rod lens is strictly expressed by the following equation:

    n(r).sup.2 =n.sub.0.sup.2 ·{1-(g·r).sup.2 +h.sub.4 ·(g·r).sup.4 +h.sub.6 ·(g·r).sup.6 +}

where h₄ and h₆ are coefficients of index distribution.

The coefficient h₄ influences the spherical aberration and the curvature of field and, hence, it has a substantial effect on the resolving power of the lens. In order to produce a satisfactory image, h₄ is preferably between -0.5 (inclusive) and 1.5 (inclusive).

If the life-size imaging optical apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention is to be used to read documents, it is usually equipped with a cover glass. To accommodate this situation, a transparent substrate of which the observe surface provides the surface of a document is disposed in such a way that the surface of a document coincides with the front focal position of the lens array. The transparent substrate may be made of glass or plastics. In the case under consideration, an end face of the lens array is preferably placed in contact with the reverse surface of the transparent substrate. In this case, the transparent substrate serves not only as a protector of the individual rod lenses but also to keep a constant distance between the surface of a document and an end face of each proximal rod lens. Needless to say, if the transparent substrate is to be used, the distance L between the surface of a document and an end face of each proximal rod lens, as well as the distance L between the sensor and an end face of each proximal rod lens, each distance being calculated as that of an air layer, have to be adjusted in accordance with the thickness of the transparent substrate and its refractive index. If the thickness of the transparent substrate is made equal to the distance L, one only need bring the lens surface of the rod lens array into contact with the reverse surface of the transparent substrate, whereupon the front focal distance of the lens array can always be rendered to coincide with the surface of the document (i.e., the obverse surface of the transparent substrate) without making any positional adjustment. As a result, the positioning of the front focal point of the lens array is obviated and the overall manufacturing process can be simplified.

EXAMPLE

The unevenness in the quantity of light versus transverse misalignment was measured on various samples of a rod lens array in which a plurality of glass rod lenses were arranged in one row. Each rod lens had an outside diameter of 0.4 mm and its marginal portions were pigmented in black in order to block marginal rays of light that would not contribute to effective formation of a focused image. Hence, the effective lens radius r₀ was about 0.14 mm. The optical parameters of each rod lens array sample and their numerical values are shown in Tables 1 and 2. An experimental setup for measuring the unevenness in the quantity of light was constructed by holding a uniform diffuser plate and a linear CCD array (device distance: 7 μm) on opposite sides of the rod lens array; the diffuser plate was positioned in registry with the surface of a document and the CCD array in sensor position. The percentage of unevenness in the quantity of light was determined from the output intensity data for 200 CCDs (chip width: ca. 1.4 mm). The results of measurements are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The MTF values (6-1 p/mm; λ=570 nm) in Tables 1 and 2 were also measured with the CCD sensor. Runs A, E, I and J were comparative samples and Runs B to D and F to H were within the scope of the present invention. The average quantity of light versus the amount of transverse misalignment divided by R (100% brightness in the absence of transverse misalignment) was actually measured for some of the test runs and the results are shown in FIG. 7 for reference purposes.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Run          A       B       C     D     E                                     ______________________________________                                         n.sub.0      1.59    1.59    1.59  1.59  1.59                                  r.sub.0  (mm)                                                                               0.141   0.141   0.141 0.142 0.144                                 g (mm.sup.-1)                                                                               1.008   0.990   0.995 0.994 0.989                                 n.sub.0  · g · r.sub.0                                                    0.226   0.222   0.223 0.224 0.226                                 P (mm)       6.233   6.347   6.315 6.321 6.353                                 Z.sub.0  (mm)                                                                               3.613   3.608   3.565 3.563 3.565                                 Z.sub.0 /P   0.580   0.568   0.565 0.564 0.561                                 2R (mm)      0.4     0.4     0.4   0.4   0.4                                   r.sub.0 /R   0.705   0.705   0.705 0.710 0.720                                 L.sub.0  (mm)                                                                               2.442   2.907   3.074 3.121 3.270                                 X.sub.0  (mm)                                                                               0.570   0.660   0.700 0.715 0.754                                 L (mm)       L.sub.0 L.sub.0 L.sub.0                                                                              L.sub.0                                                                              L.sub.0                               Degree of overlap m =                                                                       1.42    1.65    1.75  1.79  1.89                                  X.sub.0 /2R                                                                    MTF (%)      82.13   80.76   78.74 78.58 75.33                                 ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Run          F       G       H     I     J                                     ______________________________________                                         n.sub.0      1.59    1.59    1.59  1.59  1.59                                  r.sub.0  (mm)                                                                               0.145   0.141   0.140 0.142 0.144                                 g (mm.sup.-1)                                                                               0.994   0.998   0.989 0.996 0.987                                 n.sub.0  · g · r.sub.0                                                    0.229   0.224   0.220 0.225 0.226                                 P (mm)       6.321   6.296   6.353 6.308 6.366                                 Z.sub.0  (mm)                                                                               3.505   3.463   3.464 3.405 3.407                                 Z.sub.0 /P   0.554   0.550   0.545 0.540 0.535                                 2R (mm)      0.4     0.4     0.4   0.4   0.4                                   r.sub.0 /R   0.725   0.705   0.700 0.710 0.720                                 L.sub.0  (mm)                                                                               3.660   3.975   4.443 5.030 5.740                                 X.sub.0  (mm)                                                                               0.851   0.900   0.988 1.140 1.305                                 L (mm)       L.sub.0 L.sub.0 L.sub.0                                                                              L.sub.0                                                                              L.sub.0                               Degree of overlap m =                                                                       2.13    2.25    2.47  2.85  3.26                                  X.sub.0 /2R                                                                    MTF(%)       77.13   75.61   73.02 63.24 50.48                                 ______________________________________                                    

An Additional sample of rod lens array was fabricated by arranging a plurality of glass rod lenses in one row and the unevenness in the quantity of light was measured on this sample, varying only the value of L, i.e., the distance between the surface of a document and an end face of each proximal rod lens and the distance between the sensor and an end face of each proximal rod lens, each distance being calculated as that of an air layer. The sensor for the measurement was of the same type as employed to obtain the data shown in Tables 1 and 2. The conditions of the measurement are shown in Table 3. The results of the measurement are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Runs K, N, O and R in Table 3 were comparative runs and Runs L, M, P and Q were within the scope of the present invention.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Run     K       L      M    N    O    P    Q    R                              ______________________________________                                         .sub.0  1.59    1.59   1.59 1.59 1.59 1.59 1.59 1.59                           r.sub.0 0.145   0.145  0.145                                                                               0.145                                                                               0.145                                                                               0.145                                                                               0.145                                                                               0.145                          g (mm.sup.-1)                                                                          0.994   0.994  0.994                                                                               0.994                                                                               0.994                                                                               0.994                                                                               0.994                                                                               0.994                          n.sub.0 0.229tidot. g · r.sub.0                                                       0.229  0.229                                                                               0.229                                                                               0.229                                                                               0.229                                                                               0.229                                                                               0.229                          P (mm)  6.321   6.321  6.321                                                                               6.321                                                                               6.321                                                                               6.321                                                                               6.321                                                                               6.321                          Z.sub.0 3.505   3.505  3.505                                                                               3.505                                                                               3.505                                                                               3.505                                                                               3.505                                                                               3.505                          Z.sub.0 /P                                                                             0.554   0.554  0.554                                                                               0.554                                                                               0.554                                                                               0.554                                                                               0.554                                                                               0.554                          2R (mm) 0.4     0.4    0.4  0.4  0.4  0.4  0.4  0.4                            r.sub.0 /R                                                                             0.725   0.725  0.725                                                                               0.725                                                                               0.725                                                                               0.725                                                                               0.725                                                                               0.725                          L.sub.0 3.660   3.660  3.660                                                                               3.660                                                                               3.660                                                                               3.660                                                                               3.660                                                                               3.660                          L (mm)  2.648   2.848  3.048                                                                               3.248                                                                               3.448                                                                               3.848                                                                               4.248                                                                               4.448                          L/L.sub.0                                                                              0.724   0.778  0.833                                                                               0.887                                                                               0.942                                                                               1.05 1.161                                                                               1.215                          X' (mm) 0.616   0.662  0.709                                                                               0.755                                                                               0.802                                                                               0.894                                                                               0.988                                                                               1.035                          Degree of                                                                              1.54    1.66   1.77 1.89 2.00 2.23 2.47 2.59                           overlap                                                                        m' = X'/2R                                                                     MTF (%) 46.11   58.22  68.86                                                                               75.04                                                                               76.88                                                                               76.69                                                                               67.36                                                                               56.24                          ______________________________________                                    

Thus, according to the present invention, certain parameters of a rod lens array are specified in such a way that even if a transverse misalignment occurs between the sensor and the overall axis of the lens array due to the dimensional errors in parts and the assembling errors which accompany the adoption of smaller-diameter rod lenses, the unevenness in the quantity of light can be minimized to contribute to the realization of a compact life-size imaging optical apparatus and to greater ease in its manufacture.

FIG. 10 shows a possible implementation of a gradient-index rod lens array according to the above described example of the present invention. A housing 100 is shown in partial cross-section to allow a rod 101 to be shown. The rods have a length Z₀ 102 and a diameter 2r₀ 103. The device shown has one row of rods 104 such the optical axes of each rod 109 are parallel. The end face of a proximal rod lens 101 is located at a distance l₀ 105 from a surface document 106. The image plane 107 is also located a distance l₀ 105 from the second end face of a proximal rod lens 101. The view radius X₀ 108 of a single rod lens 101 is shown on the image plane 107. A transparent substrate 110 is shown with is obverse surface providing a surface for a document 106. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A life-size imaging rod lens array comprising:a plurality of rod lenses each having a refractive-index distribution in the radial direction are arranged in one row such that the optical axes are parallel to each other, said rod lens array satisfying the following conditions:(A) the outside diameter of each rod lens is such that

    0.05 mm≦R≦0.25 mm and 0.5R≦r.sub.0 ≦1.0R

where 2R: the distance between the optical axes of adjacent rod lenses; r₀ : the radius of the effective area of each rod lens that provides a lens action;(B) when the refractive-index distribution of each rod lens is approximated by n(r)² =n₀ ² ·{1-(g·r)² }, 0.05≦n₀ ·g·r₀ ≦0.50 and 1.40≦n₀ ≦1.75where r: the distance from the optical axis; n(r): the refractive index at distance r from the optical axis; n₀ : the refractive index at the optical axis; g: the coefficient of the refractive-index distribution;(C) the length of each rod lens Z₀ is such that

    0.5<Z.sub.0 /P<1.0

where P: the periodic length of each rod lens as defined by P=2 π/g; and(D) the degree of overlap m defined by m=X₀ /2R is such that

    1.61≦m≦1.80 or 2.06≦m≦2.50

where X₀ : the view radius of a single rod lens which is given by X₀ =-r₀ /cos(Z₀ π/P).
 2. A life-size imaging optical apparatus comprising:a life-size imaging rod lens array in which a plurality of rod lenses each having a refractive-index distribution in the radial direction are arranged in one row such that the optical axes are parallel to each other, with the surface of a document and a sensor being positioned on opposite sides of said lens array, said rod lens array satisfying the following conditions:(A) the outside diameter of each rod lens is such that

    0.05 mm≦R≦0.25 mm and 0.5R≦r.sub.0 ≦1.0R

where 2R: the distance between the optical axes of adjacent rod lenses; r₀ : the radius of the effective area of each rod lens that provides a lens action;(B) when the refractive-index distribution of each rod lens is approximated by n(r)² =n₀ ² ·{1-(g·r)² }, 0.05≦n₀ ·g·r₀ ≦0.50 and 1.40≦n₀ ≦1.75where r: the distance from the optical axis; n(r): the refractive index at distance r from the optical axis; n₀ : the refractive index at the optical axis; g: the coefficient of the refractive-index distribution; (C) the length of each rod lens Z₀ is such that

    0.5<Z.sub.0 /P≦1.0

where P: the periodic length of each rod lens as defined by P=2 π/g; and(D) the degree of overlap m defined by m=X₀ /2R is such that

    1.61≦m≦1.80 or 2.06≦m≦2.50

where X₀ : the view radius of a single rod lens which is given by X₀ =-r₀ /cos(Z₀ π/P),wherein the distance L between the surface of a document and an end face of each proximal rod lens and the distance L between the sensor and an end face of each proximal rod lens, each distance being calculated as that of an air layer, both satisfy the following condition:

    L=L.sub.0

where L₀ : the lens working distance given by L₀ =-(1/n₀ g)·tan(Z₀ π/P).
 3. A life-size imaging optical apparatus which uses a life-size imaging rod lens array in which a plurality of rod lenses each having a refractive-index distribution in the radial direction are arranged in one row such that the optical axes are parallel to each other, with the surface of a document and a sensor being positioned on opposite sides of said lens array, said lens array satisfying the following conditions:(A) the outside diameter of each rod lens is such that

    0.05 mm≦R≦0.25 mm and 0.5R≦r.sub.0 ≦1.0R

where 2R: the distance between the optical axes of adjacent rod lenses; r₀ : the radius of the effective area of each rod lens that provides a lens action; (B) when the refractive-index distribution of each rod lens is approximated by n(r)² =n₀ ² ·{1-(g·r)²)}, 0.05≦n₀ ·g·r₀ ≦0.50 and 1.40≦n₀ ≦1.75where r: the distance from the optical axis; n(r): the refractive index at distance r from the optical axis; n₀ : the refractive index at the optical axis; g: the coefficient of the refractive-index distribution; (C) the length of each rod lens Z₀ is such that

    0.5<Z.sub.0 /P<1.0

where P: the periodic length of each rod lens as defined by P=2 π/g; (D) the degree of apparent overlap m' defined by m'=X'/2R is such that

    1.61≦m'≦1.80 or 2.06≦m'≦2.50

where X': the view radius of a single rod lens which is given by X'=L·n₀ ·g·r₀ /sin(Z₀ π/P); and (E) the distance L between the surface of a document and an end face of each proximal rod lens and the distance L between the sensor and an end face of each proximal rod lens, each distance being calculated as that of an air layer, are each such that

    0.8L.sub.0 ≦L<L.sub.0 or L.sub.0 <L≦1.2L.sub.0

where L₀ : the lens working distance given by L₀ =-(1/n₀ g)·tan(Z₀ π/P).
 4. The life-size imaging optical apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a transparent substrate of which the obverse surface provides the surface of a document is disposed in such a way that the surface of a document coincides with the front focal position of the lens array.
 5. The life-size imaging optical apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a transparent substrate of which the obverse surface provides the surface of a document is disposed in such a way that the surface of a document coincides with the front focal position of the lens array.
 6. The life-size imaging optical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an end face of the lens array is in contact with the reverse surface of the transparent substrate.
 7. The life-size imaging optical apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an end face of the lens array is in contact with the reverse surface of the transparent substrate. 